Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Casablanca
Greeted at Casablanca's international airport then driven to your comfortable hotel to relax after your flight. Later, if you have the energy, discover top sights like the mammoth ornate Hassan II Mosque built partially over the ocean, take a sunset stroll along the Corniche seaside promenade seeing locals play and relax, and wander through early 1900s art deco quarters reminiscing Morocco's French period.
Day 2: Imperial Cities to Age-Old Ruins
Visit royal grandeur in the historic capital of Meknes including the intricate grand Bab Mansour gateway and remains of once impressive royal granaries and buildings. Nearby lies remarkably complete Roman city Volubilis with fabulous floor mosaics, columns and structures - evidencing an advanced civilization over 1700 years ago. Continue over rolling plains to the bustling aged center of spiritual Fez as the sunset lights up its minarets and market square.
Day 3: Fez walking tour through history
The immense walled Fez el Bali medina is the world's largest intact car-free medieval city and bustling urban center alive with donkey carts transporting goods through its maze of skinny alleys. On an epic insider walking tour with a local specialist guide, traverse over 1200 years of layered architecture, heritage sites, waves of culture, trade build up and history frozen in time. Witness artisans handcrafting leather, metal and carpets as enduring scents lead you through the exotic covered markets assaying your senses.
Day 4: Middle Atlas Foothills to Sahara Sand Sea
The landscape changes from the forested slopes of the Middle Atlas mountains, through rural mudbrick villages dotting lush river valleys transforming to palm tree lined oases marking the start of the expansive and ever changing Saharan desert. Arrive at the giant sea of slowly shifting sand dunes glowing fiery orange as the setting desert sun casts lingering shadows over the sculptural peaks and troughs of Erg Chebbi.
Day 5: Sleeping under the Saharan Stars
Climb by friendly camel to the heights of an iconic dune to watch dawn's golden glow spread slowly over the undulating sand sea. Returning to your comfortable Bedouin style carpeted tent, enjoy traditional activities like bread making, relaxing with aromatic mint tea as gentle indigenous music accompanies the sunrise serenity.
Day 6: Valley of Dades Dramatic Scenery
Journey back north through a narrow yellow and pink sandstone gorge, containing cliffs and rock formations sculpted by nature into unusual monster shapes. Spend the night at an ancient dwelling conversion overlooking the fertile and vividly colorful Dades Valley oasis, embraced by soaring rocky ridges and stone towers seemingly guarding secret treasures.
Day 7: Ouarzazate adobe kasbah to charming mountain hamlet
Cross a landscape of roses filling fertile oases fringing the desert to explore Taourirt kasbah - one of the most iconic ancient fortified mudbrick villages and backdrop for many famous movies. Ascend through high mountain passes revealing endless views over stone villages, cultivated mountain terraces, hidden waterfalls and the valley floor below. Descend to peaceful Imlil village naturally terraced into the slope under the imposing white peaks of Mount Toubkal, Morocco's highest mountain.
Day 8: Off the beaten path Mountain Berbers
Continuing over the Tizi n'Tamaterte pass, glimpse crumbling ancestral clifftop strongholds clinging to ridges seemingly defying gravity and visit remote traditional Berber stone hamlets hardly changed for centuries. Late afternoon, the landscapes flattens opening onto busy Marrakech - the famed pink red walled city vibrant crossroads balanced between the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert.
Day 9: Marrakech walking discovery Immerse deeper by guided walk through the UNESCO world heritage listed medina starting from your restored guesthouse Riad inside the city walls. Through colorful winding alleys filled with aromatic spice sacks and stalls of considered metalwork, emerge at impressive historical architecture. Gaze up the 70 meter tall minaret adjacent the 12th century Koutoubia mosque dominating the skyline and view intricate carvings of the opulent Bahia Palace. Suspend afternoon down time before gathering above the large open aired place of Jemm el Fna as street entertainers and market scenes come alive at dusk.
Day 10:Farewell with memories
Private airport or rail transfer based on your onward plans to reluctantly conclude your Imperial highlights to Sahara discovery encountering engaging cultural opportunities and dramatic landscapes unveiling treasures of an ancient civilization now etched in your memory.
Tour Highlights:
- Spend 2 nights in the vibrant red city of Marrakech seeing top attractions like Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, and Djemaa el-Fna.
- Visit Aït Benhaddou, an ancient fortified city and UNESCO World Heritage Site near Marrakech that has been featured in many films.
- Travel through the High Atlas mountains and stay in a traditional riad guesthouse in the cozy town of Ouarzazate.
- Explore Fes, the cultural capital of Morocco, including the medieval Medina and colorful tanneries.
- Hike through the Dades Valley with its stunning rock formations and "monkey fingers" landscape.
- Spend a night glamping in the Sahara Desert, ride a camel and watch the sunrise over the sand dunes.
- Relax in the blue pearl city of Chefchaouen located in the Rif mountains known for its bright blue architecture
